Need a mega family hauler with some off-road potential? We’ve got you covered. These Hankook-shod SUVs are our favourite seven-seater behemoths for price, performance, practicality, and much more.
While there’s certainly no shortage of choice when it comes to modern sports utility vehicles (SUVs), not all are created equal. From cramped interiors and meagre boots to front-wheel drive only setups, superficial utility vehicle would be a more apt title for many of these pseudo-off-roaders.
Fear not, though, as practical three-row SUVs still exist – and some even have a useful dollop of off-road ability to boot. Here’s our three best SUVs for seven passengers.
Audi Q7 – Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 EV
Image credit: Audi
Audi’s largest SUV received mixed feedback when it first launched back in 2006 on account of its slightly awkward, bulbous form. But now, three generations later, the Q7 is a far more handsome beast.
In fact, the entire car is more accomplished in almost every area. If it’s space and practicality you’re after, the big Audi has you covered. With a cavernous 7-seat interior and generous 770-litre boot with the third row folded flat, you’ll not struggle to find a place for all the trappings of family life.
And, while it might not be the most engaging steer in its class, the Q7 is seriously quick and capable for such a heavy car – especially when inclement conditions allow its quattro four-wheel-drive and Hankook tyre pairing to shine. There’s even an electrically operated towbar capable of lugging an enormous 2,800kg. Handy for that obligatory family North Coast 500 staycation.
All this space and grace will cost you, though. Starting at £66,000 the Q7 isn’t exactly budget friendly, but you do get what you pay for.
Image credit: Nissan
Its smaller brother, the Qashqai, seems to have soaked up most of the limelight in recent years. Perhaps unfairly so as the X-Trail deserves its own glory
For one, the seven-seat X-Trail offers bags more interior space and, of course, two extra chairs. The boot’s bigger too, at 575 litres, and although this falls a little short of the Q8’s capacious storage space, the X-Trail does allow you to slide the middle row of seats forward or just fold them completely flat. Handy, for getting in the back to adjust car seats or hoovering up half-eaten snacks.
The X-Trail’s slightly dated infotainment is perhaps what lets it down the most compared to German rivals, although this is forgivable given its £33,000 asking price is about half as much as the BMW or Audi equivalent.
Out on the open road, comfort and refinement clearly take priority over performance and driver engagement. And, while some of the engines do feel a little asthmatic when stressed (primarily the 161 bhp MHEV petrol) few buyers are likely to take their seven-seat family bus on hot laps of the Nürburgring, anyway. Nissan’s X-Trail does the business everywhere it matters, and as a fair bit cheaper than many competitors; what more can you ask for?
Skoda Kodiaq - Ventus S1 evo2 SUV
Image credit: Skoda Kodiaq